Team SKN in challenging Caribbean Cup match against Suriname

Basseterre, St. Kitts, 31st May 2016 (MyVueNews.com) – A very important match-up between Suriname and St. Kitts & Nevis national football teams has entered the countdown phase.

All teams are ready and accounted for and only time, skill, determination and a touch of good fortune will determine the winner of the Wednesday, 1st June, Caribbean Cup qualifier of the Caribbean Football Union, to be held at the Warner Park Football Stadium, starting at 8 pm.

It is the first game in the second round of matches for Group 5, between St. Kitts & Nevis and Suriname. Also in Group 5 is St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Teams play one match at-home and another away.

SKNFA President Anthony Johnson said the upcoming encounter with Suriname is a continuation of the quest to advance to the Gold Cup, but he pointed out that “we cannot do that unless we can make it to the top four of the Caribbean Cup.”

Johnson thanked Head Coach Jacques Passy and his technical staff, together with the Sugar Boyz, for the work that has been done so far. As a consequence, the SKNFA president wants the general public to come out in huge numbers to support the Sugar Boyz.

Referring to the team’s previous encounter with Antigua and Barbuda, President Johnson stated, “This game will be an even tougher game, so it’s important that all of the general public of St. Kitts and Nevis come out to support the Sugar Boyz.”

He continued, “We need that 12th man, so to speak, the support that can take us over the hump. I want you to come out in your national colours. Come out with your rags and your flags, with your noisemakers; come out with your passion that has been shown by the general public, quite recently, in the Final Four.”

President Johnson made the plea for fans to transfer their passion for the club teams to the national team.

Reporting on the condition of the field, which continues a remedial program, General Secretary Stanley Jacobs he is pleased with the preparatory work that has been done at the Warner Park Football Stadium. He said, “The field is in excellent condition.”

But, considering the large crown that is expected for this game, General Secretary Jacobs had advice for spectators. He said, “Come early. It is very important you get to the stadium early, as you have to go through the usual security measures. We want to avoid delays getting into the stadium.”

The General Secretary said ideally persons should be in the Stadium an hour before kick-off.

Jacobs reminded football fans that it has been a long time since St. Kitts and Nevis advanced this far in the CFU competition. He stated, “All the preparatory work has been completed. We are ready for kick-off on Wednesday at the Warner Park Football Stadium.”

Suriname Head Coach Roberto Godeken said the team is “feeling at home”. Speaking through an interpreter, however, he said the team prepared well for the game. “We are ready to give a good show against the team of St. Kitts and Nevis. All respect to St. Kitts and Nevis. We know they have a good team, but we are really here also to win the match. Let the best team win in the spirit of fair play.”

Suriname is a country with a tremendous football history, and it is a country dedicated to creating great footballers with great talent, said Jacques Passy, the head coach of the senior men’s St. Kitts and Nevis National Team.

He remarked, “We have quite a challenge tomorrow. We know the team quite well, but just like Roberto said, we are very well prepared. For us, this is no normal game, no ordinary game. It is a monumental opportunity to create a path to go to the third round and to the last round in our will to go to the goal cup.”

Tickets are available at Football House at EC$40 stadium and $30 for the grounds.

The president thanked regional sponsor Scotiabank, as well as local sponsors St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank, Beaumont Park, BT FireWorks and Carib Brewery.